Pope Benedict XVI with Cardinal Angelo Sodano, dean of the College of Cardinals / USA TODAY,

by Gary Strauss, USA TODAY

by Gary Strauss, USA TODAY

Despite his advanced age and limited public appearances, Pope Benedict XVI's resignation was a surprise to most Roman Catholics, followers say.

While the Vatican stressed that no specific medical condition prompted the 85-year-old Benedict's decision to become the first pontiff to resign in 600 years, many Catholics speculated about that he might be facing some tough health issues.

Others expressed concerns about the future of the church, his potential successor and his role in the Vatican's handling of child sexual abuse scandals involving priests.

Kathleen Kilkenny, a parishioner at St. George Catholic Church in St. George, Utah, said the pope looked in ill health when she saw him in November at the Vatican.

"I had an audience with the pope when I went on a pilgrimage, and he was very frail," Kilkenny said.

Luke Holman, 23, a graduate student at Drake University in Des Moines, said he was shocked to hear about the Feb. 28 resignation because age is normally not a reason to resign. "I don't understand," he said. "All popes are old. The last pope was worn out when he died."

Others were confused yet optimistic about the future of the Church.

"It is not necessarily a sad event but it is kind of a somber time," Catholic University student Joanna Gardner said. "I came to an understanding of my faith at the same time this man was the pope of my Church."

Patrick Boyden, head of the Knights of Columbus Council at Georgetown University, woke-up to the news of the pope's decision on Twitter and Facebook. While originally taken aback by the announcement, he believes the pope has served as a solid foundation for his church.

"The initial reaction was that of surprise, but then you start thinking about it and realizing that for Pope Benedict, I'm sure so much thought and prayer went into this decision," the Georgetown junior said. "A lot of people said you can't live up to John Paul II, but I think Benedict did the best job possible; the next pope has big shoes to fill."

Early morning Mass attendees at Divine Child Catholic Church in Dearborn, Mich., were in a state of disbelief. "Oh my goodness," said Joy Siedlik, 57, an office manager from Livonia. "I'm just wondering what's going to happen in the Catholic Church."

Benoit Faye, 50, among 25 people attending the 7 a.m. Mass Monday at St. John the Evangelist Church in White Plains, N.Y., said the pope's decision made sense because "he cannot handle it anymore." Faye praised the pope's efforts to bring young people into the church.

In Boston, computer analyst Kyle Potter learned about the pope from his mobile phone while waiting for a morning subway train. "It's understandable,'' said Potter, 29. "He's getting a little too old to handle the job."

Roman Catholics in Brevard County, Fla., expressed concern about the fallout.

The news bothered those who saw the pope's conservative leadership as a return to the true values of the church. "We're sad to see him go," said Joyce Wade, a 30-year member of St. Joseph. "Whoever the next pope is I hope he'll be like the last two...holy, truthful, everything a pope should be."

Others say there's now an opportunity for fresh leadership.

"I hope it is a very good move for the church to get a younger, more liberal person," said Ellen McNally, Fort Myers-based president of the Florida chapter of Call to Action, a Catholic organization promoting social justice and change and renewal within the church.

McNally said the next pope should take a closer look at such issues as ordination of women, making priestly celibacy optional and greater inclusion of non-clergy Catholics in decision-making. "I don't think that's going to happen," McNally said, adding that the church officials who will be in on that selection were mostly placed there by Pope Benedict.

"We're hopeful for what's good for the church and pray for his successor," McNally said.

"The pope broke a 600 year tradition today by announcing his resignation, but he didn't break any traditions about opening up the church to honesty and transparency regarding sexual abuse patterns," said Bob Hoatson, a victim of a priest's sexual abuse and founder of Road to Recovery, an organization that helps victims of clergy sexual abuse.

"Child sexual abuse destroys lives," said Kevin Waldrip, another victim and volunteer for Road to Recovery.

"I was abused by my 13th birthday; The day before my birthday I was a pious young child. I was an altar boy, choir boy. I attended Mass on a daily basis. I wanted to become a priest, and that changed in a day. I felt that not only had I been violated by this priest that I knew and loved but I had been violated by God. I'd like to see the pope's successor genuinely reach out to victims and not just give lip service."

Anne Barrett Doyle, co-director of Bishopaccountability.org, believes the pope has tried to minimize public uproar surrounding child sexual abuse in the Catholic church. "I think what he's primarily done is tried to suppress the uproar but he's been unsuccessful in doing so," Doyle said.

"He has not forced the resignations of complicit bishops, he has not demanded that bishops report crimes to the police," Doyle said. "He has not initiated any profound reforms in the church's handling of child sexual abuse allegations."